Crowdfunding campaign launched for Adrian Armory Makers Space Community Kitchen

$50,000 goal to win matching grant through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places initiative

LANSING, Mich. –Adrian’s new community hub built in the historic armory will complete its build-out with the creation of a community kitchen through a new crowdfunding campaign, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and nonprofit Adrian Armory Community Center Inc. announced today. The campaign is being offered through Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $50,000 by March 25, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/adrianarmorykitchen.

“The adaptive reuse of the historic Adrian Armory is a great example of intentional public placemaking,” said MEDC Senior Vice President of Community Development Katharine Czarnecki. “We are pleased to provide resources for this effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”

The campaign will complete Phase II of Launch Lenawee, which envisions a makerspace commercial kitchen designed to support Lenawee County small food producers who need a legal commercial kitchen in order to grow their food business. The entire armory and the kitchen will have extensive public programming and events to ensure that the space is well-used and open to the community. Through the vision of many in the community, this will also complete the renovation of the 100-year-old National Guard Armory in downtown Adrian to become the hub of community activity and entrepreneurial and small-business expansion for Lenawee County.

“The Adrian Armory Community Center is thrilled to partner with the MEDC to bring this exciting project to fruition. We are confident that the partnership with result in a significant benefit to our community. This is another example of a public- private partnership, improving prospects for a more vibrant Lenawee County," said Mark and Mary Murray, chairs of the Adrian Armory Community Center and Launch Lenawee.

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.

“Creating vibrant community spaces is key to great placemaking,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and executive director of the Michigan Municipal League. “Adrian’s armory project will do double-duty by adding an engaging space for community gatherings and entrepreneurial development while also renovating an historic asset.”

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of December 31, 2018, MEDC has provided $5,844,441 in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 189 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with $6.8 million raised from 35,715 individual donors.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.